Names - Persian
Persians of the nineteenth century did not use surnames. Men were given proper names, such as Muhammad, Husayn, or Ibrahim, and often more then one -- Muhammad-'Ali, or Rida-Quli. Many times the second name was one of the ninety-nine Most Beauteous Names of God, from the Qur'án. For example, 'Abdu'r-Rahim [Servant of the All-Merciful].To distinguish one individual from another, titles and descriptions would be added to the given name. Haji Muhammad-Hasan Isfahani, for example, would indicate the man from Isfahan named Muhammad-Hasan who had made the pilgrimage to Mecca; Ustad Mahmud Banna would designate the Mahmud who was the master builder; and so forth.The following are a few of the many titles and description added to Persian names:Aqa: Sir, mister. General term of respect.Darvish: A Muslim mystic. Often a wandering, mendicant ascetic whotraditionally carries an ax and a begging bowl (kashkul).Haji: One who had made the Muslim pilgrimage.Kashi: Someone from KashanMirza: A general term of respect which usually indicates that the onedesignated is literate. Used after the name it indicates a prince. 134Mulla: A Muslim priest.Shaykh: An elder; a chief; a professor; or the head of a dervish order.Siyyid: A descendant of the Prophet Muhammad.Ustad: A master craftsman.
- Ustad Muhammad-'Aliy-i Salmani, My Memories of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 134-135
Quote of the Day
Kamal 3 Qawl 182 B.E.
The tongue is for mentioning what is good, defile it not with unseemly talk.
Bahá’u’lláh – Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 182